About the Artist

Nelson Makamo was born in the town of Nylstroom (now Modimolle), in the Limpopo province of South Africa in 1982. He participated in a number of local exhibitions in Limpopo before joining the Artist Proof Studio in January 2003. During his time at the Artist Proof Studio he further cultivated his craft and was awarded a bursary from Johnson & Johnson International and the Pinpoint One Human Resources scholarship. In 2005 he had his first solo exhibition at the Obert Contemporary Art Gallery in Melrose Arch , Johannesburg. In 2007 he had his first International exhibition in Somma Lombardo, (Italy) followed in 2008 with an international solo exhibition in Zutphen (Amsterdam).

He exhibits regularly in group exhibitions, the most recent being Ten Years of Printmaking at the David Krut Print Studio in Johannesburg and the Artists Proof Studio’s annual exhibition for artists and at the Gallery on the Square in Sandton, Johannesburg.



Nelson has been ranked by Art South Africa as South Africa’s seventh Bright Young Thing and most recently as South Africa’s second most selling artist.

Artist statement:

“My work is my life, pain and joy, from the first piece to the last piece. In my work I am a story teller, a narrator; I share, I document each day visually because for me each day is a blessing, being able to capture movement and feelings of people who live around me. I find joy within that because I believe that in each and every person is a special light that gives off a glow that reflects on others around.

Everyday I’m so thankful for the blessing, testing of the lessons, the questions and answers, trials and tribulations that are set upon me. It’s hard for some to see but to me it’s clear as . I devote my life to the everyday dreams and adventures. For so many to get ahead in life they face the rain, the pains and strife and they keep on striving until they reach the highest point. I have learned from that. I stay close to my elders because they influence me in many different ways . I do this because being an artist is not an option, it is a gift.”